Wondering Where to Stay in Venice with Family? In this post, I will help you to find the best areas to stay in Venice for families with kids and best family-friendly hotels for all budgets.
Venice is an excellent choice for a family-friendly holiday due to its unique and enchanting atmosphere. Children can enjoy exploring the narrow streets, riding in gondolas, and visiting iconic landmarks such as St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace.
The city offers numerous parks, playgrounds, and family-oriented attractions, ensuring an unforgettable and enjoyable experience for the whole family.
Where to Stay in Venice for families with kids?
The best areas to stay in Venice for families with kids include San Polo, San Marco,Cannaregio, Santa Croce, and Castello. These are central and safe neighborhoods on Venice island that offer plenty of family-friendly things to do and see for a memorable family holiday.
Keep in mind factors such as proximity to attractions, ease of transportation, and the overall atmosphere of the neighborhood when making your decision. The best area for your family will depend on your specific preferences and interests.
Overview of best areas to stay in Venice with kids
Here is an overview of recommended areas in Venice for families with kids:
| San Polo | is a central neighborhood in the heart of Venice. It offers a mix of residential areas and popular attractions like the Rialto Bridge and Rialto Market. This area is well-connected and has a good range of accommodation options. |
| San Marco | is the most famous district known for its iconic St. Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Basilica. It can get crowded during the day, staying in San Marco allows you to easily explore the city’s major sights including the Doge’s Palace. |
| Cannaregio | is a vibrant and less touristy area, offering a more local atmosphere with charming streets, cozy squares, afforable accommodations and restaurants. Cannaregio is home to the Jewish Ghetto, one of the city’s most historically significant areas. |
| Santa Croce | is located near the main bus and train terminals. It is a good choice for families who want to stay away from the crowds while still being within easy reach of Venice’s attractions. |
| Castello | is the largest district in Venice, offers a more budget-friendly accommodation, authentic and laid-back atmosphere. It is home to some beautifu Giardini della Biennale and the famous Arsenale, a historic shipyard. |
5 Best areas to Stay in Venice with Family:
1. San Polo
San Polo is an excellent choice for families looking to stay in Venice. It is one of the six sestieri (districts) of Venice and is centrally located, making it convenient for exploring the city’s attractions. It is known for its lively atmosphere, charming streets, and historic sites.
San Polo offers a variety of family-friendly accommodations, including hotels, apartments, and guesthouses. Staying in this area allows you to be within walking distance of major attractions like the Rialto Bridge, Rialto Market, and the Grand Canal.
San Polo is well-connected to public transportation options, such as water buses (vaporettos) and water taxis. This makes it easier to navigate through Venice, especially when traveling with children.
The San Polo area has some lovely open spaces, such as the Campo San Polo and Campo dei Frari, where families can relax and children can play. These squares often host events and festivals, creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere.
San Polo is generally a safe and family-friendly area. The neighborhood has a more residential feel compared to the more popular San Marco, which can be appealing to families looking for a quieter environment.
The neighborhood has a residential feel with family-friendly restaurants, local shops, cafes, and markets where you can experience the authentic Venetian lifestyle.
Best hotels to stay in Venice in San Polo for family:
- Luxury: H10 Palazzo Canova, 4-star family-friendly hotel, with 24-hour front desk, located close to the famous Rialto Bridge.
- Mid-range: Locanda Sant’Agostin, excellent guest house with rooms for families, located within a short walk from the Rialto Bridge, the train station, and Piazzale Roma.
- Budget: Ca’ Angeli, child-friendly B&B, that has views over the Grand Canal from its lounge and breakfast area.
2. San Marco
San Marco is the best area for families, especially if your family values convenience, proximity to major attractions, and don’t mind the crowds.
San Marco is heart of Venice and offers easy access to many of the city’s main attractions, such as St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. It is a lively area with plenty of restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, shops, and entertainment options suitable for all ages.
Staying in San Marco allows families to be close to major landmarks, making it convenient for exploring Venice on foot. The area is relatively flat and easily navigable, which is advantageous for families with strollers or young children.
Families can take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal. It’s a great way to see the beautiful palaces, churches, and bridges of Venice from the water.
Venice, in general, is considered a safe city, and San Marco is no exception. The area is well-patrolled by local authorities, and the overall crime rate is relatively low. This makes it a reassuring place for families to stay and explore.
San Marco can be crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons. Accommodations here might also be more expensive compared to other areas.
Best hotels to stay in Venice in San Marco with family:
- Luxury: Baglioni Hotel Luna, 5-star hotel, located in central Venice island, within easy walking distance from waterbus stop and Saint Mark’s Square. It has family rooms, and babysitting and child services with additional charge.
- Mid-range: Hotel Casanova, 4-star hotel, featuring family rooms, located within a short walk from San Marco square and Harry’s Bar, as well as many cafés, restaurants and pizzerias.
- Budget: Hotel Firenze, 3 star family-friendly hotel, centrally located right next to Saint Mark’s Square, close to the S. Marco Vaporetto stop.
3. Cannaregio
Cannaregio is a great choice for families seeking a quieter, more authentic stay in Venice, and affordable accommodations.
This area is the northernmost district of Venice and offers a more residential and less crowded atmosphere compared to other areas like San Marco. It is a budget-friendly area that has a local charm with narrow streets, canals, and numerous bridges.
Compared to some of the more central areas in Venice, accommodations in Cannaregio tend to be more affordable. You can often find a wider range of options, including apartments and guesthouses that are suitable for families.
The district has several parks and squares where children can play and run around. One of the popular spots is the Guglie Bridge area, which has a small playground.
Additionally, Cannaregio offers a range of restaurants and trattorias where families can savor delicious Venetian cuisine. Try local food like seafood risotto, sarde in saor (sardines marinated in sweet and sour sauce), and fritto misto (mixed fried seafood).
The district is also well-connected with public transportation, with the Santa Lucia train station nearby, making it easier to explore other parts of Venice.
While Cannaregio may be away from the main tourist areas, you can still easily reach popular attractions like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge by vaporetto (water bus) or by walking.
Cannaregio itself has numerous family-friendly attractions such as the Jewish Ghetto, Ca’ d’Oro, Fondamenta degli Ormesini, Strada Nova, Campo dei Mori, Parco Savorgnan, Church of Madonna dell’Orto.
Take a note that Venice, in general, can be quite busy and crowded with tourists, especially during peak seasons. While Cannaregio may offer a more relaxed atmosphere, it’s always recommended to book a hotel in advance to ensure the availability of family-friendly options.
Best hotels to stay in Venice in Cannaregio for families:
- Luxury: Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice, 5 star hotel, with spacious family rooms, within easy reach from Rialto Bridge and Santa Lucia Train Station.
- Mid-range: Ca’ Vendramin Zago, 4 star child-friendly hotel in a 17th-century building in a quiet area, a short walk from the train station and Piazzale Roma car park.
- Budget: Aquavenice Locazione Turistica, a great guest house with family rooms. Its location is close to Santa Lucia Station and the ferry stop for the airport.
4. Santa Croce
Santa Croce is a transport hub of Venice, located in the western part of the city, it is bordered by the Grand Canal to the east, the San Polo to the south, and Cannaregio to the north.
Santa Croce is relatively close to the Piazzale Roma, which serves as the main arrival point for those traveling to Venice by bus, taxi, or car. From Piazzale Roma, you can take a vaporetto to reach popular destinations such as St. Mark’s Square, Murano, Burano, and the Lido.
If you’re arriving in Venice by train, Santa Croce is an ideal area to stay as it’s located near the Santa Lucia Train Station. This means you won’t have to travel far with your luggage, making it convenient and time-saving.
Some of the popular attractions in the neighborhood are the Church of San Giacomo dell’Orio, Fondaco dei Turchi which is a former warehouse now home to the Natural History Museum of Venice, and Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio lively square.
Santa Croce is one of the few neighborhoods in Venice that has preserved a more local and authentic atmosphere. It has a charming and less touristy vibe compared to other areas like San Marco or Cannaregio.
Santa Croce has several trattorias and osterias where you can taste delicious Venetian dishes. Try some seafood specialties or indulge in traditional cicchetti (Venetian tapas) accompanied by a glass of local wine.
Best hotels to stay in Venice in Santa Croce for families:
- Luxury: Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel, 5-star hotel with an on-site 2-Michelin-starred restaurant. Located close to the train station and waterbus stop.
- Mid-range: Hotel Santa Chiara, 4 star family-friendly hotel, located right next to Papadopoli Gardens, offering private paid parking if you bring a car.
- Budget: Hotel Olimpia Venice, BW Signature Collection, 3-star hotel, located close to the Grand Canal and Piazzale Roma.
5. Castello
Castello is the largest sestiere in Venice and offers a more residential and local atmosphere compared to the bustling tourist areas.
Castello is less crowded compared to popular tourist areas like San Marco. It offers spacious squares, quiet canals, and charming streets where families can enjoy a peaceful environment.
Castello is home to several family-friendly attractions, such as the Venetian Arsenal, which houses the Naval History Museum, offering insights into Venice’s maritime heritage.
The Giardini della Biennale is another popular spot, featuring beautiful gardens where children can play and explore.
While Castello offers a more peaceful setting, it is still within walking distance of major attractions. St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs are all within a 15-20 minute walk from Castello.
Castello has a range of local amenities, including supermarkets, pharmacies, and restaurants, making it convenient for families to find everything they need during their stay.
Castello has more affordable accommodations compared to the popular neighborhoods such as San Marco, making it also ideal for families seeking a budget-friendly area to stay in Venice.
Best places to stay in Venice in Castello for first-timers:
- Luxury: Palazzo Maria Formosa, 5-star hotel that provides a 24-hour front desk, located close proximity to Basilica San Marco, Doge’s Palace and Piazza San Marco.
- Mid-range: Charming Venice Apartments, family-friendly apartments with a fully equipped kitchen, located in Venice island’s historic center.
- Budget: Hotel Da Bruno, 3-star hotel with family-rooms, located between Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square.
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In conclusion, San Polo, San Marco,Cannaregio, Santa Croce, and Castello are the best places to stay in Venice for families with kids. You can choose the area that suits your preferences and needs for an unforgettable Venetian experience.
I personally spent 5 days in Venice and booked a hotel in San Marco due to its central location, allowing me to explore most of the landmarks easily on foot.